Finding spring break fun for the kids isn’t tough

Philip Wood/ Gold Country News ServiceBeau Shea, 2, left, and his sister, Kayla, 4, play with shaving cream at KidsPark in Rocklin.

For most students, spring break means a welcome vacation from homework and class time.
But for parents, it can mean scrambling to figure out where to send kids for the weeklong time off.
Whether it’s just for a few hours a day, a couple days a week, or the entire week, there are plenty of options for busy parents during next week’s spring break.
At KidsPark, an hourly daycare and preschool center off Five Star Boulevard, kids leave exhausted, said owner Gigi Harvell.
Part of the center’s attraction is its hourly rate and range of activities for children ages 2 to 12. For $7.95 an hour, parents can drop their child off at KidsPark and know their child is in good hands. All staff is CPR and first-aid certified and the majority of employees are working toward teaching credentials, Harvell said.
Harvell said KidsPark stands out from other daycares for a number of reasons.
“It’s cheaper than a babysitter and they’re tired when they leave,” she said. “They have fun — it’s like recess all the time because they get to do whatever they want.”
The center is divided into activity zones including a movie room, a kitchen area where monthly cooking classes take place, a “mountain of energy” area with a park-like feel and an ages 6 and older area. One of the added benefits of KidsPark is the educational factor, Harvell said.
“Children are learning even if they don’t know they’re learning,” she said. “Every activity, even though it’s playing, is a skill to learn.”
For camps geared toward indoor and outdoor play, the city of Rocklin offers a Kids Junction Spring Camp for 2010. Held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 29 to April 2, the camp is sure to keep kids busy.
According to Chris Meyer, community services program coordinator, students in grades kindergarten through sixth are welcome to attend and play. Daily activities include arts and crafts, a band area with a guitar and drum set, karaoke, a game room with a pool table and nature walks in nearby Johnson-Springview Park — “all kinds of fun things,” Meyer said.
Students can take advantage of the full four-day camp or two to three days based on family schedules. Lunch is not provided, but morning and afternoon snacks will be provided to camp goers.
Meyer said the spring break camp is one of the city’s most popular for holidays and school breaks and recommends people sign up at least 24 hours in advance.
For the sports enthusiasts, there are two upcoming basketball camps to be held in Rocklin.
The William Jessup University’s men’s basketball program is offering a camp for kids ages 8 to 18 March 29 through April 1. The camp is designed to help kids develop fundamental basketball skills.
“It is very exciting to be able to provide quality individual instruction to young people that ultimately improves their basketball skills,” said Aaron Muhic, WJU’s head basketball coach.
Also for basketball fans will be a camp at Hardwood Palace in Rocklin. From April 5-7, campers will learn ball handling and shooting skills through the Advantage Basketball Camp.
The city of Rocklin’s parks and recreation department has numerous ongoing camps, if spring break is already covered. For more the city’s camps, go to www.rocklin.k12.ca.us.
KidsPark hourly
daycare
Hours: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: KidsPark, 6801 Five Star Blvd. Ste. B
Cost: $7.95 an hour for one child; $12.50/ hour for two children
Information: 624-2344
City of Rocklin Kids Junction Spring Camp 2010
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 29 to April 2
Where: Spring View Middle School Teen Center, 5040 5th St.
Cost: $36 a day (two-day minimum) or $170 for the full camp for residents; register at the Rocklin Sunset Center, 2650 Sunset Blvd.
Information: 625-5200
Basketball camps
Spring break camp at William Jessup
University
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 to April 1
Where: William Jessup University activities building, 333 Sunset Blvd.
Cost: $200 per child
Register at www.jessup.edu
Information: 577-2362
Advantage Basketball Camp- ball handling and shooting camp
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 5-7
Where: Hardwood Palace, 1091 Tinker Road
Cost: $195; Register at www.advantagebasket
ball.com or contact Gil Llewellyn at
Information: (310) 903-6473